"Try And Apologise For That.."- Michael Clarke Slams Mitchell Johnson For Attacking David Warner

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has slammed his ex-teammate Mitchell Johnson after the latter’s recent remarks about David Warner. Earlier this year, the veteran opener announced that the forthcoming series against Pakistan would be his last in international cricket. David Warner will bring down the curtains on his Test career after the final Test of the series which is scheduled to be played in his hometown Sydney. On Sunday (December 3), he was named in Australia’s 14-member squad for the three-match series.

However, Mitchell Johnson is not all impressed that his former teammate is getting to play a farewell series despite his role in the infamous Cape Town ball-tampering scandal of 2018. The former fast-bowler also took a dig at the selector and his former teammate George Bailey and questioned his integrity. Writing in a newspaper column, the World Cup-winning former pacer wrote:

“Does this really warrant a swansong, a last hurrah against Pakistan that was forecast a year in advance as if he was bigger than the game and the Australian cricket team?

“It’s been five years and Warner has still never really owned the ball-tampering scandal. Now the way he is going out is underpinned by more of the same arrogance and disrespect to our country,” he added.

Michael Clarke slams Mitchell Johnson:

Mitchell Johnson’s remarks have caused quite a stir in the Australian cricket fraternity as fans and experts have expressed their shock over the same. And Michael Clarke has also joined the bandwagon as he criticized Mitchell Johnson for getting too personal in his criticism.

The former Australia captain also indirectly stated that Mitchell Johnson and David Warner were not the best of friends during their time together in the Australian dressing room.

“In every sporting team, not everybody gets on. Not everyone is best friends. Dave is a strong character, Mitch is a strong character, (they) went hard at each other in the nets. I saw that but I couldn’t sit here and say they had beef against one another when we played,” Michael Clarke told his Big Sports Breakfast show.

Speaking further, the World Cup-winning former captain also suggested the former left-arm pacer to issue an apology, saying: “Yeah (that’s why I wonder if) maybe I’ve missed something here … Mitch hasn’t played for years now so maybe there is beef, I don’t know. When you’re in a role like this … if you have an opinion and it’s based on what’s best for the team, or your experience, then go with that.

“But it should never be personal. I try not to make it personal and if it comes across that way you try and apologize for that because you don’t want that,” he added.

Meanwhile, David Warner recently starred for Australia in their record-extending sixth World Cup triumph. He finished the competition as his team’s highest run-scorer. He will be looking to bow out of Tests on a high.